BACOPA MONNIERI AND CHRONIC DISEASES CURRENT EVIDENCE AND PERSPECTIVES A Narrative Review
Keywords:
Bacopa monnieri , chronic diseases , multi-target pharmacology , oxidative stressAbstract
This study was survey research aimed to synthesise empirical evidence regarding the phytochemical composition, molecular mechanisms of action, clinical outcomes, and safety of Bacopa monnieri in the context of chronic diseases. It is a descriptive literature review, sourcing and synthesising data from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ThaiJO databases. Preclinical and clinical studies related to active compounds, signalling pathways, pharmacological effects, therapeutic outcomes, and safety were selected and analysed thematically by mechanism and disease group.
The study found that the main active compounds, bacosides and bacopasaponins, along with flavonoids and alkaloids, work synergistically on the shared pathophysiology of chronic diseases through activation of the antioxidant Nrf2 pathway, inhibition of inflammation via the NF-κB pathway, stabilisation of mitochondria, and modulation of the neurotransmitter system through AChE inhibition and the BDNF–CREB pathway. The strongest clinical evidence is in the area of cognition, while evidence in metabolism, cardiovascular health, and cancer is mostly from preclinical studies. Preclinical safety data are favourable, but gastrointestinal adverse effects from saponins and the risk of drug interactions through inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes must be monitored. It can be said that Bacopa monnieri exhibits multi-target pharmacological effects consistent with the shared pathogenesis of chronic diseases. Large-scale randomised clinical trials and studies on pharmacokinetics and safety are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in real-world use.
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